Moisture determiner with determination preserving apparatus



0d. 1957 c. w. BRABENDER ,808,7 0

MOISTURE DETERMINER WITH DETERMINATION PRESERVING APPARATUS OrigmalFiled Jan. 21, 1954 2 Sheets-Sheet l fizz/e7? ar 64% M 5645mm 06L 1957c. w. BRABENDER 2,808,720

MOISTURE DETERMINER WITH DETERMINATION PRESERVING APPARATUS OriglnalFiled Jan. 21, 1954 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 United States Patent 2,808,720Patented Oct. 8, 1957 MOISTURE DETERNIINER WITH DETERlVIINA- TIONPRESERVING APPARATUS Carl W. Brabender, Minneapolis, Minn., assiguor toPillsbury Mills, Inc., Minneapolis, Minn., a corporation of DelawareOriginal application January 21, 1954, Serial No. 405,488. Divided andthis application February 8, 1954, Serial No. 408,876

9 Claims (Cl. 73-76) This invention relates to moisture determiningapparatus. More particularly, it relates to apparatus for quickly andefficiently driving olf the volatile contents of a sample of granularmaterial and determining the percentage of loss of weight by the sampleas a consequence thereof, and for automatically preserving the resultsof the determination for future reference.

This application is a divisional application of my copending applicationfor patent filed by me in the United States Patent Office on January 21,1954, entitled Moisture Determining Apparatus (Inclined Axis), SerialNo. 405,488. My copending application is directed toward protecting thenovel and improved apparatus for drying a sample of granular materialquickly and efficiently without sacrificing accuracy and by methodswhich will overcome the objections of certain scientists who refuse toaccept generally recognized methods and apparatus. The instantapplication is directed toward protecting the novel combination ofelements which preserves the results of the determination indefinitelyfor future reference.

In apparatus heretofore known for use in accurately determining themoisture content of granular materials, it has been necessary for theoperator to remain close at hand to the moisture determining apparatusonce the determination is started in order to be available to read theresults of the determination as soon as .the drying operation iscompleted. If the determination is completed while the operator is notclose at hand, the sample will absorb moisture from the air andconsequently take on Weight and provide an inaccurate reading upon thereturn of the operator. When this happens, it has been necessary for theoperator to repeat the determination with a consequent loss of time andeffort. My present invention is directed toward eliminating thesedisadvantages.

it is a general object of my invention to provide novel and improvedmoisture determining apparatus which will automatically preserve theresults of the determinations indefinitely for future reference.

Another object is to provide novel moisture determining apparatus whichwill enable the operator to commence the determination and leave theapparatus, thereafter to return at his leisure in order to observe andrecord the results of each determination.

Another object is to provide apparatus for determining the moisturecontent of a sample of granular material which will automaticallypreserve the results of each determination for an indeterminate periodand until released subsequently by the one conducting the determination.

Another object is to provide novel moisture determining apparatus whichwill introduce uniformity and standardization in the conductance of aseries of moisture content determinations by insuring that the readingwill be taken at a given interval after the determination of each of thesuccessive driving operations.

These and other objects and advantages of my invention will more fullyappear from the following descrip- 2 tion made in connection with theaccompanying drawings, wherein like reference characters refer to thesame or similar parts throughout the several views, and in which:

Fig. 1 is a front elevational view of one embodiment of my invention;

Fig. 2 is a side elevational view of the same;

Fig. 3 is horizontal sectional view on an enlarged scaie taken alongline 33 of Fig. 1;

4 is a rear elevational view of the same; and

Fig. 5 is a plan view on an enlarged scale of the sample pan with thepan carrier shown in broken lines.

One embodiment of my invention, as shown in Figs. 1-5, may include aweighing mechanism or scale S which is encased in a substantially closedcompartment to prevent air currents from influencing the same. Thisweighing mechanism or scale S is comprised of a steel yard or beam 6which is pivoted as at 7 and which is provided at its right hand end asviewed in Fig. 1 with a pan carrier support or rod 8 and a dependentcounter-weight 9. As shown, the pan carrier support 8 is pivotallymounted on the right hand end of the steel yard 6. Extending laterallyfrom the right hand end portion of the steel yard 6 is an indicating arm10 which will provide a direct scale reading on the moisture percentageindicator 11. The steel yard 6 is provided, as shown, with a counterbar12 and a dampener 13. The pan carrier support rod 8 extends upwardlythrough the wall of the compartment in free sliding relation thereto.The scale S is preferably of the type disclosed in my prior UnitedStates Letters Patent No. 2,047,765, entitled Apparatus for theDetermination of Moisture, and issued July 14, 1936.

Extending inwardly through the back wall of the closed compartment is ashaft 14 which is mounted therein for rotation about its longitudinalaxis and which has mounted thereon a lever 15 which extends laterallyfrom the shaft. The lever 15 has a forwardly extending control arm 16which extends forwardly above the right hand end portion of the beam orsteel yard 6 so that when the shaft 14 is pivoted so as to cause thelever 15 to descend, the control arm 16 will engage the beam 6 and lowerthe right hand end portion thereof and will also lower the pan carriersupport 8.

Carried by the upper end portion of the pan carrier support rod 8 is apan carrier 17 which is adapted to engage and support a sample pan 18.As best shown in Fig. 5, the sample pan carrier 17 is comprised of aflat plate which is generally T-shaped and extends rearwardly andslightly upwardly on an inclined plane from the pan carrier support rod8. Extending upwardly from the forward end of the plate 17 is a flange17a which is shaped concentrically with the pan 18 so as to complementthe shape thereof. This can best be seen in Fig. 5 which readily showsthat the entire pan carrier 17 is complementary in shape to the pan 18so that when the pan carrier 17 is lifted from a position directly belowthe pan, the latter will be firmly supported by the pan carrier 17.

Mounted on the top of the scale S and extending upwardly therefrom is aframework 19 which supports a shell 20. Rotatably mounted on this shell20 is a pair of laterally spaced flanged roller elements 21 and 22. Theflanges 21a and 22a of these roller elements extend outwardly adjacentthe lower end portions of the rollers and have their upper surfacesextending in a plane parallel to the plane of the T-shaped portion ofthe pan carrier 17. The shafts 21b and 22b upon which these rollers aremounted, extend downwardly through the shell 20 upon which they arerotatably mounted and carry sprocket gears 23 and 24 at their lowerrespective ends. These gears are drivably connected by a sprocket chain25. The shaft 22b extends downwardly to a low level '3) where it isdriven through a gear element 26 by an electric driving motor 27.

Mounted upon the shell 21]), as best shown in Figs. 2 and 5, is a pairof rollers 23 and 29. These rollers 28 and 29 are mounted for freerotation about inclined axes which extend outwardly from a central pointbetween these two rollers and the two rollers 2ll and 22. This centralpoint is preferably directly below the center of the pan 18 when thelatter is positioned as shown in Figs. 1 and 2. The upper surfaces ofthese rollers extend in the same general inclined plane as the uppersurfaces of the flanges 21a and 22a of the rollers 21 and 22 so thatthey cooperatively provide a support for the pan is on an inclinedplane.

The pan 18, as best shown in Fig. 5, is provided with a plurality ofdeformations in the form of upwardly ex tending teats 18a which areformed in the bottom portion of the pan. Some inwardly extending teatsltib are also formed on the vertical side walls of the pan. These teats18a and 18b insure that even the most freeflowing of granular materialswill be carried along with the bottom portion of the pan 1% from thelower portion of the bottom of the pan as at 359 to the upper portion ofthe bottom of the pan as at 31 during the rotation of the pan. A sampleof granular material placed within the pan will, upon rotation of thepan, have portions thereof carried along the upwardly inclined planeuntil gravity will cause the same to roll downwardly to the lowerportions. In this manner, any sample placed within the pan and rotatedtherewith will have its upper surface constantly agitated and exchangedso that different portions of the sample will be constantly presented tothe source of heat.

Mounted on the upper surface of the scale S on opposite sides of andextending normally to the pan carrier support 8, is a pair of springmetal clamping straps 32 and 33 which are so mounted as at 34 to causethe two to be constantly urged toward each other. A pair of brake blocks35a and 35 are carried by this pair of spring metal straps 32 and 33 onopposite sides of the pan carrier support 8. This can best be seen inFig. 3. Rotatably mounted upon the upper surface of the scale S belowand extending upwardly between the straps 32 and 33, is a cam post 36.This cam post 36 has a lever handle 37 extending outwardly therefromwith which the cam post may be rotated. As best shown in Fig. 3, the campost 36 is somewhat elliptical in shape so that when the handle 37 is inthe dotted line position shown in Fig. 3, the spring blocks 34 and 35will be held in spaced relation to the pan carrier support 8. When thecam post is in the position shown in full lines in Fig. 3, the springstraps 32 and 33 will cause the spring blocks 34 and 35 to engage thepan carrier support 8 and clamp it fixedly relative thereto upon therelease of the trip element to be hereinafter described.

Pivotally mounted upon the free end of the spring strap 32, as bestshown in Fig. 3, is a trip element or catch 38 which has an indentationor latch element formed therein as at 39. A spring 441 urges the tripelement 38 toward the pan carrier support 8. An electromagnet 41 ismounted upon the support 19 and is pivotally connected as at 42 to thetrip element 33.

Mounted upon the upper wall of the compartment enclosing the scale andadjacent to the handle 37 in position to be engaged thereby when thehandle is swung to the dotted line position shown in Fig. l, is astarting switch 43. This starting switch is connected to the drivingmotor 27 to start the same and is also connected to a running motor andan infra-red lamp to be hereinafter referred to.

Positioned adjacent the compartment enclosing the scale S is a variabletiming motor 44-. This timing motor has its shaft extending into a gearbox 45 which in turn has a shaft 46 extending outwardly from theopposite side thereof. A disc 47 is mounted on the shaft 46 andoutwardly of the disc, and on the shaft 46 is mounted a cam block Thecam block carries a' relatively broad cam 49 and a relatively narrow cam56] at opposite ends of the block. The cam 50 is offset relative to thecam 49.

Extending through the housing of the gear box 45 is a shaft 51 which hasa small lever 52 connected thereto, the latter carrying a roller 53 atthe outer end portions thereof. The roller 53 is positioned so as to beengaged by the cam 49 as it rotates with the shaft 46. On the oppositeand back side of the gear box mounted on the shaft 51 is a sprocket gear54. This gear 54 is connected by a chain 55 to a second sprocket gear 56which is carried on the end of the shaft 14 which extends through theback of the scale-encasing compartment. A lever 57 is mounted on theshaft 4-6 and is constantly drawn downwardly by a spring 58.

Mounted on the gear casing 45 on the forward side thereof is a running,single pole, double throw switch 59 positioned so as to be engaged bythe sharp cam 50 as it rotates with the shaft 46. This switch 59 is inparallel with the starting switch 43 so that either will close thecircuit to the driving motor 27, the timing motor 44 and the source ofheat to be applied to the sample. This source of heat, as shown, is aninfra-red lamp 60 mounted on a rod 61 upon the shell 20. The rod 61 ispivotable about its longitudinal axis so that the lamp 66 may be swungto either side as desired. The source of power to the lamp 6!) isregulated by means of a variable transformer 62 and a voltmeter 63 whichwill indicate any fluctuations in the voltage so that the determinationsmay always be made, if so desired, at the same voltage.

In operation, a sample of a predetermined weight is placed Within thesample pan 1% and the pan is placed so that its bottom will rest uponthe flanges 21a and 22a of the rollers 21 and 22 and upon the uppersurface of the rollers 28 and 29. If desired, the sample may be weighedwithin the pan and the pan may then be positioned as described. Thelever 37 is then swung to the dotted line position shown in Fig. 3 so asto provide power to the driving motor 27 and the infra-red lamp 60 aswell as the timing motor 44. The timing motor thereupon will cause thecam block to rotate with the shaft 46 so that the cam 50, which at thetermination of the previous run engaged the switch 53, will move awayfrom the switch and permit that switch to close the running circuit tothe driving motor 27, the timing motor 44 and the lamp 6th.

The driving motor 27 will drive the roller 22 and cause the pan 18 toturn with that roller and upon the other three rollers 21, 28 and 29.The chain 25 between the rollers 21 and 22 will drive the roller 21 sothat that roller will aid in rotating the pan 18 about its inclined butupright axis. While so rotating, portions of the sample will be carriedaround with the pan to the more upper portions as at the point 31, andgravity acting thereupon will cause the sample portions to rolldownwardly toward the rollers 21 and 22. In this manner, all portions ofthe sample will be constantly and continuously agitated and the portionsthereof which comprise the upper surface of the sample will be carrieddownwardly and covered up by portions of the sample which previouslywere below the upper surface thereof. The steady rolling and mixing ofthe sample constantly changes the upper surface and presents theportions of the sample bearing the greater percentage of moisture to theheat rays of the lamp 60. In this manner, scorching is prevented despitethe fact that a very intense heat is utilized.

Toward the end of the drying operation, the cam block will have reachedthe position shown in Fig. 1, the direction of rotation being shown bythe arrow in that figure. As it rotates, the roller 53 will rideupwardly on the beveled edge of the cam block 43 as shown in Fig. 1,thereby causing the lever 52 to swing upwardly and the shaft 51 torotate in a counter-clockwise direction when asosyrao viewed from thefront of the apparatus. This rotation of the shaft 51 causes the lever57 to swing upwardly against the tension of the spring 58. At the sametime, the gear 54 will turn and by means of the chain 55 will cause thegear 56 to also turn to rotate the shaft 14. Rotation of the shaft 14will cause the lever 15 and the control arm 16 to swing upwardly andrelease the beam or steel yard 6 so that the right hand end portionthereof as viewed in Fig. 1 may swing upwardly. The upward movement ofthe right hand end portion of the steel yard will cause the pan carriersupport 8 to rise therewith and will cause the pan carrier 17 to engagethe pan 18 and lift the same upwardly, free of the rollers 21, 22, 28and 29. This brings the scale into operation and causes the scale toweigh the pan and the sample. The indicator will show upon the moisturepercentage indicator 11 in direct reading, the percentage of the samplewhich was lost as a result of the drying operation. Through thisweighing operation, the lamp 60 remains energized so that no moisturemay be absorbed from the air by the sample and hence no inaccuracies areintroduced with such absorption.

A brief interval exists between the time when the pan carrier support 17engages the pan 18 and lifts the same and the scale is brought intooperation, and the time when the narrow cam 50 engages the switch 59.During that interval, the scale has an opportunity to come to balance atthe proper weight. By the time the beam 6 has ceased to swing about itspivot and has come to rest at the correct weight indication, the cam 50will engage the switch 59 and break the circuit to the driving motor 27,the timing motor 44 and the lamp. At the same time, this switch closesthe circuit to the electromagnet 41 and thereby energizes the same.Energization of the electromagnet 41 causes the trip element 38 to bedrawn away from the pan carrier support 8, thereby permitting the breakblocks 34 and 35 to move toward each other and positively engage the pancarrier support 8 and clamp the same tightly therebetween at a fixedposition. This, of course, locks the scale in the weighed position andpreserves the results of the determination until the operator returnsand commences a new determination. This means that the cam 50 at the endof the determination comes to rest in engaging relation with the switch59 and the scale is locked in its last weighing position.

When the next determination is started, the operator merely moves thelever 37 to the dotted line position shown in Fig. 3, whereupon the cam36 will spread the spring straps 32 and 33 and the spring 40 and drawthe trip element 38 therebetween to maintain them in spread positionuntil the electromagnet 41 is subsequently energized as described above.The operator needs only hold the lever 37 against the switch 43 untilsuch time as the timing motor 44 has driven the cam 50 out of engagementwith the driving switch 59 and thereafter he may release the lever sincethe driving switch will maintain the circuits to the driving motor andthe timing motor as well as the lamp throughout the remainder of thedrying operation.

Thus it can be seen that I have provided novel and improved moisturedetermining apparatus which will automatically preserve the results ofany particular determination for an indeterminate period after thetermination of the drying operation. It will be readily appreciated thatthe operator of the apparatus may commence a determination with amachine embodying my invention and leave the same to return any desiredlength of time thereafter with full assurance that upon his return theresults of the determination will be preserved for him. Theautomatically energized clamping device which locks the scale in theweighing position automatically at the end of the weighing operationinsures that regardless of the amount of moisture absorbed by the samplewithin the sample pan, the results of the determination will bepreserved and can be read from the indicating scale. Thus it can be seenthat a substantial saving in time can be eflected through the use of myapparatus where it is necessary for the operator to either indulge in anumber of determinations simultaneously or partake in a number ofdiiferent projects at a given time. Once the initial sample has beenweighed and placed upon the pan carrier and the apparatus has beenplaced in operation,the operator may leave the same and thedetermination will be carried on automatically and the results thereofwill be preserved for future observance by the operator upon his return.

in conducting a series of moisture content determinations, the operatoris assured through the use of my novel apparatus that the readings whichare taken are always taken at the same predetermined intervals of timeafter the weighing and drying operations are completed. Thus, if anymoisture whatsoever is absorbed by the sample, however minute, forcomparable purposes the determination must necessarily be substantially100 percent accurate, for the period during which moisture mightpossibly be absorbed will be the same for each determination. Thisstandardization and means for determining the moisture content ofsamples of granular material completely overcomes any objections toinaccuracies introduced by absorption of moisture from the air.

it will be noted that the speed of rotation of the pan 18 will readilybe varied as desired in accordance with the nature and texture of thematerial to be dried. It is also possible to vary the speed of rotationof the pan during the various stages of a single determination. Thisvariation in speed of rotation of the pan 18 may be obtained, of course,through adjustment of the variable speed motor 2'7. it will also benoted that the angle of inclination from vertical of the axis ofrotation of the pan 18, as shown in Fig. l, is approximately thirty (30)degrees for use in the drying of wheat flour. It will be readilyappreciated that the angle of inclination of the axis of rotation of thepan 18 may be varied in accordance with the nature and texture of thematerial to be dried and the speed of rotation used. The angle ofinclination and the speed of rotation, in any event, must be socorrelated as to cause the material to be dried to be carried upwardlyat least part way toward the uppermost elevation of the bottom of thepan 18 as it rotates and to thereupon roll downwardly to the lowermostportions of the bottom of the pan, thereby accomplishing a constantstirring and mixing of the material to be dried.

It will, of course, be understood that various changes may be made inthe form, details, arrangement and proportions of the various partswithout departing from the scope of my invention.

What I claim is:

1. In apparatus for quickly determining the volatile contents of asample of granular material and for automatically preserving the resultsof the determination, the combination of a weighing scale having atiltable beam, a pan carrier, pan carrier support structure connectingsaid pan carrier with one end portion of said beam for vertical movementtherewith and supporting said pan carrier and being movable downwardlywith said pan carrier and said end portion to a retracted position bytilting said beam, releasable mechanism connected with said beam fortilting the same and thereby holding said pan carrier in retractedposition, means for supporting a sample pan with a sample of suchmaterial contained therewithin directly above said pan carrier andadjacent thereto while the latter is retracted, time-controlled meansfor drying the contents of such a pan while so supported withmechanismmounted adjacent said pan carrier support structure in position to clampthe same in fixed position and to hold said scale in its weighingposition, and timecontrolled means constructed and arranged to causesaid clamp mechanism at the end of a brief interval after said pancarrier support is released from said retracted position and said sampleis weighed, to engage said carrier support structure and hold the sameand said scale in fixed position.

2. In apparatus for quickly determining the weight of a sample ofgranular material and for preservin the results of the determination forfuture reference, the combination of a weighing scale having a tiltablebeam, a pan carrier adapted to releasably engage and support a samplepan containing a sample of such material, pan carrier support structureconnecting said pan carrier with one end portion of said beam forvertical movement therewith and supporting said pan carrier and beingmovable downwardly with said pan carrier and said end portion to aretracted position by tilting said beam, means for supporting a samplepan with a sample of such material contained therewithin directly abovesaid pan carrier and adjacent thereto while the latter is retracted,means for forcing said beam end portion downwardly and therebyretracting said pan carrier and causing said sample pan supporting meansto support the sample pan, means for heating the contents of the samplepan while the pan carrier is retracted, means for releasing said beamend portion to cause said pan carrier to rise and engage the sample panfor weighing, and mechanism actuated by said means for releasing saidbeam to automatically engage and hold said support structure in :fixedposition at the termination of the weighing operation to preserve theresults of the determination for future reference.

3. In apparatus for quickly determining the weight of a sample ofgranular material and for preserving the results of the determinationfor future reference, the combination of a weighing scale having atiltable beam, a pan carrier adapted to engage and support a sample pancontaining a sample of such material, pan carrier support structureconnecting said pan carrier with one end portion of said beam forvertical movement therewith and supporting said pan carrier and beingmovabie downwardly with said pan carrier and said end portion to aretracted position by tilting said beam, means for supporting a samplepan with a sample of such material contained therewithin directly abovesaid pan carrier and adjacent thereto while the latter is retracted,means for forcing said beam end portion downwardly and therebyretracting said pan carrier and causing said sample pan supporting meansto support the sample pan, means for heating the contents of the samplepan while the pan carrier is retracted, time controlled mechanism forreleasing said beam and there-by causing said pan carrier to engage andcarry such a sample pan at a predetermined time for weighing of thesame, and time controlled clamp mechanism coordinated with said firstmentioned mechanism and mounted adjacent said support structure andconstructed and arranged to engage and hold the latter in fixed positionand thereby hold said scale in its weighing position shortly after saidpredetermined time.

4-. In apparatus for quickly determining the volatile contents of asample of granular material and for preserving the results of thedetermination for future referonce without recording the same, thecombination of a weighing scale having a tiltable beam, a pan carrieradapted to en age and support a sample pan containing a sample of suchmaterial, pan carrier support structure connecting said pan carrier withone end portion of said beam for vertical movement therewith andsupporting said pan carrier and being movable downwardly with said pancarrier and said end portion to a retracted position as a result oftilting of said beam, means for supporting a sample pan with a sample ofsuch material contained therewithin directly above said pan carrier andadjacent thereto while the latter is retracted, drying mechanismdisposed adjacent said means in position to dry the contents of a samplepan when carried by said means, means for forcing said beam end portiondownwardlv and thereby retracting said pan carrier and cansing si dsample pan supporting means to support the sample pan, means forreleasing said beam end portion to cause said pan carrier to rise andengage the sample pan for weighing at the end of the drying operation,ciamp mechanism mounted adjacent said support structure in position toengage and hold the same in fixed position at the termination of thedetermination, mechanism connected with said drying mechanism forterminating the drying operation at the end of a predetermined period oftime, and mechanism connected with controlled by said last mentionedmechanism for causin said clamp mechanism to engage and fixedly holdsaid support structure at the termination of the weighing operation.

5. apparatus for determining the weight of a sample of granular materialand for preserving the results of the determination for future referencewithout recording the same, the combination of a weighing scale raving atiltable beam, a pan carrier adapted to enand support a pan containing asample of such material, pan carrier support structure connecting saidpan carrier with one end portion of said beam for vertical movementtherewith and supporting said pan carrier and being movable downwardlywith said pan carrier and said end portion to a retracted position bytilting said beam, means for supporting a sample pan with a sample ofsuch material contained therewithin directly above said pan carrier andadjacent thereto while the iatter is retracted, means for forcing saidbeam end portion downwardly and thereby retracting said pan carrier andcausing said sample pan supporting means to support the sample pan,means for drying the contents of the sample While the pan carrier isretracted and the pan is supported by said sample pan supporting means,means for releasing said beam end portion to cause said pan carrier torise and engage the sample pan for weighing at the end of the dryingoperation, a pair of opposed clamping arms extending along oppositesides of said support structure and being resiliently urged toward eachother toward a position where they will engage and hold said supportstructure in fixed position, releasable catch mechanism for holding saidarms in spaced relation during weighing operations of said scale,electrical trip mechanism connected with said catch mechanism forreleasing said catch mechanism and permitting said clamping arms toengage and hold said support structure in fixed position at the end ofthe weighing operation in order to preserve the results of thedetermination, and mechanism associated with said trip mechanismconstructed and arranged to actuate the latter at the end of theweighing operation.

6. in apparatus for quickly determining the volatile contents of asample of granular material and for automatically preserving the resultsof the determination for future reference, the combination of a panadapted to receive therewithin upon the bottom thereof a sample of thegranular material the moisture content of which is to be determined,rotatable support structure supporting said pan and rotating the sameabout an inclined axis so that there will always be portions of thebottom of said pan elevated relative to the remaining portions wherebygranular material contained within said pan will roll downwardly fromthe elevated portions to the lower portions during such rotation, a timecontrolled source of drying heat disposed above said pan While sosupported and directed downwardly into the interior of said pan to drythe contents thereof, a weighing scale mounted adjacent said supportstructure and having a tiltable beam, a pan carrier adapted to engageand support said pan above its rotatable support structure, pan carriersupport structure connecting said pan carrier with one end portion ofsaid beam for vertical movement therewith and supporting said pancarrier and being movable downwardly with said pan carrier and said endportion to a retracted position as a result of tilting of said beam andbeing adapted to cause said pan carrier to engage said pan and lift itclear of said support structure and to weigh the same when said beam endportion is released, means for forcing said beam end portion downwardlyand thereby retracting said pan carrier and causing said sample pansupporting means to support the sample pan, means for releasing saidbeam end portion to cause said pan carrier to rise and engage the samplepan for Weighing, and time controlled clamp mechanism connected with thetime controls of said source of heat and mounted adjacent said pancarrier support structure and constructed and arranged to engage andhold the same in fixed position at the termination of the Weighingoperation in order to preserve the results of the determination forfuture reference.

7. In apparatus for quickly determining the volatile contents of asample of granular material and for automatically preserving the resultsof the determination. the combination of a sample pan adapted to receivethere- Within a sample of granular material the volatile contents ofwhich is to be determined, a plurality of roller elements rotatablymounted adjacent each other for rotation about non-parallel axes, saidrollers during rotation having their uppermost portions disposed in asingle inclined plane and being adapted to in part rotatably sup portsuch a pan having a sample of such granular material therewithin, atleast a pair of flanged roller elements rotatably mounted adjacent saidfirst mentioned roller elements and adapted to support such a pan withits flanges in said plane, mechanism for drivably rotating at least oneof said flanged roller elements to rotate said pan about an upright butinclined axis in cooperation with said first mentioned roller elements,a timed controlled source of dry heat disposed above and adjacent tosaid roller elements and directed downwardly toward the same so as todry the contents of such a pan when the latter is so supported, aweighing scale positioned below said rollers and having a tiltable beam,a pan carrier adapted to engage and support said pan, pan carriersupport structure connecting said pan carrier with one end portion ofsaid beam for vertical movement therewith and supporting said pancarrier and being movable downwardly with said pan carrier and said endportion to a retracted position by tilting said beam, means for forcingsaid beam end portion downwardly and thereby retracting said pan carrierand causing said sample pan supporting means to support the sample pan,means for releasing said beam end portion to cause said pan carrier torise and engage the sample pan for weighing, and time controlled clampmechanism coordinated with said source of heat and mounted adjacent saidpan carrier support structure and constructed and arranged to engage andhold the same in fixed position at the termination of the weighingoperation to preserve the results of the determination for futurereference.

8. In apparatus for quickly determining the volatile contents of asample of granular material contained within a sample pan and forautomatically preserving the results of the determination for futurereference, the combination of a plurality of roller elements mountedadjacent each other for rotation about their respective axes, saidroller elements during rotation having their uppermost portions disposedin a single inclined plane and being adapted to support and rotate sucha pan while having a sample of such granular material therewithin,mechanism for drivably rotating at least one of said roller elements torotate such a pan about an upright and inclined axis, a time-controlledsource of dry heat disposed above and adjacent to said roller elementsand directed downwardly toward the same so as to dry the contents ofsuch a pan when the latter is so supported, a weighing scale positionedbelow said roller elements and having a tiltable beam, a pan carrieradapted to engage and support such a pan, pan carrier support structureconnecting said pan carrier with one end portion of said beam forvertical movement therewith and supporting said pan carrier and beingmovable downwardly with said pan carrier and said end portion to aretracted position by tilting said beam, releasable mechanism associatedwith said beam and constructed and arranged to tilt the same and therebyhold said pan carrier in retracted position, time-controlled mechanismconnected with said releasable mechanism to cause the same toautomatically release said scale beam upon the termination of the dryingoperation to cause said pan carrier to be released from retractedposition and to rise and lift such a pan from said rollers to permitsaid scale to weigh the same, clamp mechanism mounted adjacent said pancarrier support structure in position to clamp the same in fixedposition and to hold said scale in its Weighing position, andtimecontrolled means connected with said clamp mechanism for causingsaid clamp mechanism to engage and hold said scale in its weighingposition at the end of a brief interval after said pan carrier supportis released from said retracted position and said sample is Weighed.

9. In apparatus for quickly determining the volatile contents of asample of granular material contained within a sample pan and forautomatically preserving the results of the determination, thecombination of a Weighing scale having a tiltable beam, a pan carrieradapted to engage and support such a pan, pan carrier support structureconnecting said pan carrier with one end portion of said beam forvertical movement therewith and supporting said pan carrier and beingmovable downwardly with said pan carrier and said end portion to aretracted position by tilting said beam, releasable mechanism disposedadjacent said beam and constructed and arranged to tilt the same andthereby hold said pan carrier in re tracted position, means forsupporting a sample pan with a sample of such material containedtherewithin above said pan carrier and adjacent thereto while the latteris retracted, means for drying the contents of such a pan while sosupported without scorching the sample, timing mechanism connected withsaid drying means for terminating the drying operation at the end of apredetermined period, mechanism connecting said timing mechanism withsaid releasable mechanism and causing the latter to automaticallyrelease said scale beam upon the termination of the drying operation tocause said pan carrier to be released from retracted position and torise and lift such a pan from said supporting means to permit said scaleto weigh the same, clamp mechanism mounted adjacent said pan carriersupport in position to clamp the same in fixed position and to hold saidscale in its weighing position, and means connected with said timingmechanism for causing said clamp mechanism to engage and hold said scalein its weighing position at the end of a brief interval after the dryingoperation is terminated.

References Cited in the tile of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS

